Heatwave caused some 480 excess deaths in Netherlands, health authorities say

Record June heat pushes Dutch temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius

A man walks with an umbrella in Amsterdam, during the heatwave hitting the country, while a code red alert is issued, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Jun 26, 2026. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou

Last week's unprecedented heat wave led to around 480 excess deaths in the Netherlands, Dutch health authorities said on Thursday.

• Excess deaths in the week from Jun 22 to 28 were mainly among people aged 80 years and older.
• Most were reported in the south and east of the Netherlands, where temperatures were highest.
• During the heatwave, record temperatures for June were set in the Netherlands, of up to almost 40 degrees Celsius.
• France earlier reported at least 1,000 excess deaths during the heat wave and said the actual toll would likely be higher.
• Scientists have said the heatwave, which began on Jun 20, was ‌the most intense recorded in Europe.